Investigation underway following massive Lee County house fire

SOUTH FORT MYERS, Fla. — A one-story house was fully engulfed in flames Thursday morning at the 8700 block of Cypress Lake Drive, the Iona-McGregor Fire Protection & Rescue Service District said.

At least one cat is dead, and the homeowner, Charles Madison, was transported to Gulf Coast Medical Center for smoke inhalation concerns, according to Iona-McGregor Fire Chief Tracy McMillion. He was inside the home trying to put the fire out.

The fire began around 5 a.m., McMillion said, and was put out within 10 minutes. South Trail and Iona-McGregor fire crews were dispatched to the scene.

Flames and smoke could be seen from the front and inside portions of the house. The main flames were inside a car port and spread to a bedroom.

A portion of the roadway was shut down, but all lanes have reopened.

Florida Power and Light and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office were also at the residence.

While the cause of the fire is still being investigated, the damage indicates Madison was smoking in bed when the fire started, the fire marshal said.

Madison is in critical condition.

WINK News Reporter John Trierweiler went live via Facebook from the scene: